 
 
STORY TIME!Sharing is something teachers do every day. So I plan on using this page to share some of they ways I use literature in the classroom. I'm going to start with one of my all-time favorite lessons. I hope that one of you (my visitors), use this for a classroom lesson someday. If you do, please let me know.  
DEAR MR. BLUEBERRY by Simon James(My lesson using this book is a PARODY and lots of fun.) Book Synopsis: Emily is on summer vacation. She spends her time writing to her teacher, Mr. Blueberry, about an imaginary (or so we think) whale that lives in her swimming pool. Mr. Blueberry responds to each teaching her facts about the whale along the way.  First read the book to the class.Then, give each student a dinosaur letter. Read together. This lesson works best if the students have been studying dinosaurs. The more background they have the better their responses will be to Emma. But whether they have an extensive background or not, they can successfully participate in this lesson. It will help to hand out a list of dinosaur vocabulary words. I read them with the kids and then allow them to use them as optional vocabulary choices. 
The rules for their letter writing are simple:1. Do your best. 2. Refer to the vocabulary list for spelling. 3. When spelling other words use the word wall, or just sound out. 4. Include 1 or more facts that you know about dinosaurs in your response to Emma. Here's another rule: Nurture, nurture, nurture. Praise, remark, encourage. Keep a few kids by your side while writing. And for kids who get stuck, spend some brainstorming time. Write ideas on word cards and let child choose. Take turns. You start. Give an idea, and then have the child come up with an idea. Help kids learn to love to write.  MY CHILDREN'S FITNESS BOOKS Happy Feet, Healthy Food, Your Child's First Journal of Exercise and Healthy Eating My first book! Why you want it for your children? That's easy. Your kids will find a way to exercise and eat healthy just to fill in the log pages of this unique fitness tracker - EVERY DAY! The Treasure of Healthy and Happiness is the story of Hannah, a child who's a swimming-lesson dropout, an exercise phobic, and a soon-to-be couch potato. But secretly Hannah yearns to own a Chipmunk Chase Fun Run medal, just like the other kids at her school. Will Hannah overcome her fears? This is a serious chapter book that takes Hannah and her dog Toby on an adventure that you and your children will remember for years to come. Children who have read this book are asking for a sequel. And someday, if somedays ever come, I will write that sequel. Kids Running: Have Fun, Get Faster & Go Farther My newest book. A "how-to" kid-friendly book sprinkled with riddles and poetry. Just lots of fun to help your child run well and run with pride and joy. This book will get your child started running, give them tips for running fun runs, the mile, and even their first 5-K with ease. If you want running advice then this book is just right for you. Listed here are books and blogs that I recommend. OTHER HEALTH AND FITNESS BOOKS We Are Girls Who Love to Run (Somos Chicas y A Nosotras Nos Encanta Correr) by Brianna K. Grant Brianna has written a beautiful book that couples English and Spanish on the same page. Nice classroom addition. BACK TO SCHOOL It's Back to School We Go First Day Stories from Around the World by Ellen Jackson Fully illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis Chosen as kidsrunning.com's back-to-school book of 2008. FOR THE YOUNGEST Super Sam by Lori Ries Fully illustrated by Sue Rama Fun to figure out how Sam is acting like a super hero. Good read with/to for the youngest. GREEN BOOKS Earth Mother by Ellen Jackson Fully illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon Circle of life, should become a classic.  Happy Feet, Healthy Food, Your Child's First Journal of Exercise & Healthy Eating The Treasure of Health and Happiness Kids Running: Have Fun, Get Faster & Go Farther |